What Foods Can I Eat After Gallbladder Surgery?

Gallbladder surgery, also known as cholecystectomy, is a procedure to remove the gallbladder and relieve pain from gallstones or other problems with the organ. The gallbladder is a nonessential organ that controls the flow of bile, a digestive aid, into the intestines. Without the gallbladder, the liver releases a constant trickle of bile. This can cause digestive problems, but a proper diet post-surgery can alleviate many of these problems.

What to Eat

• Recovering patients should eat low-fat, high fiber foods, including whole grains, fruits, vegetables and lean meats.

What to Avoid

• After gallbladder surgery, patients should avoid high-saturated fat, greasy or hard-to-digest foods such as cream-based soups, dairy or fast foods. Foods that cause gas, such as broccoli and cabbage, and high-acid foods, such as grapefruit and coffee, should also be avoided.

Frequency

• Eat frequent, small meals that are large enough to relieve hunger but small enough to avoid fullness. The most common plans involve five or six mini-meals, but meals can be more or less frequent based upon preference.

Liquids

• It is extremely important to remain well hydrated, preferably with plain water. However, drink caloric liquids, such as broth or juice, if it's difficult to keep food down.

Alcohol

• Patients should never consume alcohol, in any quantity, while they are recovering from gallbladder removal.

Side Effects

• The most common side effects of gallbladder surgery are diarrhea, bloating and gas. These side effects can be largely avoided by following a clean, healthy diet.